Psychology Courses

(PSY)

A list of approved General Education courses

can be found in “Graduation Requirements

and Academic Advising” in the undergraduate

catalog.

PSY 1000 General Psychology

3 hrs. Fall, Spring

An eclectic approach to a social and

behavioral survey of major topics in

psychology, including learning, motivation,

intelligence, personality, mental illness, and

social relations. Approved for General

Education.

PSY 1600 Child Psychology

3 hrs. Fall, Spring

An introduction to behavior principles in the

analysis of complex behavior with an

emphasis upon early childhood learning and

the techniques for enhancing children’s

development. Topics include mental

retardation, behavioral problems in childhood,

emotional development and language

learning. Prerequisite: PSY 1000.

PSY 1970 Special Programs in Psychology

1–3 hrs.

The department of psychology offers special

programs of study for students at academic

risk in the University. The program follows a

Learning to Learn curriculum which is

supervised by advanced students enrolled in

a practicum course.

PSY 2500 Abnormal Psychology

3 hrs. Fall, Spring

An introduction to the description,

classification and interpretation of human

behavior labelled by society as “abnormal”

with an emphasis on the social variables and

environmental conditions related to the

acquisition and persistence of such behavior.

Prerequisite: PSY 1000

PSY 3000 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

3 hrs. Fall, Spring

Interpretation and application of descriptive

and inferential statistical techniques necessary

in the understanding of data presentations in

behavioral research. Major topics include:

Measures of central tendency and variability,

frequency distributions and graphic

presentations, the normal curve, probability

theory and the binomial, hypothesis testing,

the t-test, chi square and correlation.

Prerequisites: PSY 1000 and MATH 1090 or an

equivalent score on the placement test offered

by the Mathematics and Statistics department.

MATH 1090 must be completed with a “C” or

better to qualify as a prerequisite for this

course. Students must also satisfy the

College-Level Mathematics or Quantitative

Reasoning Proficiency before registering for

PSY 3000.

PSY 3240 Abnormal Child Psychology

3 hrs.

This is a course for psychology majors and

minors. The course provides a topical survey

of the area of abnormal child psychology. The

lectures introduce description, classification,

and treatment of behaviors considered

“abnormal” or atypical for children and

adolescents. Topics include common

childhood problems like ADHD, oppositional

behavior, eating disorders, and depression

Prerequisites: PSY 1000, 1600.

PSY 3300 Behavioral Research Methods

3 hrs.

An examination of the quantitative methods

utilized in behavioral research. Topics include

behavioral observation, interobserver

agreement, single-case and between-subject

designs, and data analysis. Prerequisite: PSY

3000.

PSY 3440 Organizational Psychology

3 hrs.

This course focuses on performance

management and improvement techniques

that are based on the principles of behavioral

psychology. Environmental change strategies

are emphasized. While the course focuses on

behavioral applications in the work

environment, other theoretical orientations are

surveyed. Topics covered include personnel

management, employee motivation, job

satisfaction, the effects of compensation

practices on employee behavior, and

leadership. Prerequisite: PSY 1000.

PSY 3450 Employee Assistance Program

Organization and Change

3 hrs.

This course reviews strategies for organization

management and change as relates to

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

Emphasis is placed on methods of creating

organization support for EAPs and ways of

integrating EAPs into existing organization

structures. Topics include leadership,

communication, decision making, organization

stucture and design, and employee motivation

and stress. Open only to Employee Assistance

Academic Program majors. Prerequisite: PSY

1000.

PSY 3470 Practicum: Learning and

Self-Management

3 hrs.

Supervised experience in the application of

principles of behavior analysis to college

learning and academic self-management. The

site of this practicum is The Center for

Research in Learning and Self-Management

(Psychology Department). Prerequisites: PSY

1000, PSY 1600, PSY 2500.

PSY 3550 Teaching Apprenticeship

in Psychology

2–4 hrs.

A laboratory course in the instructional

methods of teaching psychology. May be

repeated for credit, but does not fulfill

major/minor requirements.Prerequisites:

Consent of instructor.

PSY 3570 Practicum with Special Populations

3 hrs.

Supervised experience in the application of

principles of behavior analysis to special

populations. The Croyden Avenue School,

which is the site of this practicum, provides an

educational program for the

developmentally-disabled and the

multiply-handicapped. Students serve as

tutors in behavior change and training

programs. Prerequisites: PSY 1600, 2500, and

3600.

PSY 3600 Concepts and Principles of

Behavior Analysis

4 hrs.

Concepts and principles of behavior analysis

are derived from basic human and non-human

research. Empirical and theoretical issues

related to habituation, respondent

conditioning, operant conditioning, and the

control of operant behavior by motivational and

emotional variables. An introductory laboratory

accompanies the lecture portion of the course.

Prerequisites: PSY 1000, PSY 1600, PSY 2500.

PSY 3720 Physiological Psychology

3 hrs.

An introduction to physiology and its

relationship to behavior, including brain

behavior interactions, behaviorally induced

chemical changes and behavioral changes

induced by chemical alterations. Lecture only.

May be taken concurrently with PSY 3780. A

previous course in biology or chemistry is

helpful but not required. Prerequisites: PSY

3600.

PSY 3780 Laboratory in Physiological Psychology

3 hrs.

An intermediate laboratory and companion to

PSY 3720 emphasizing the acquisition of

laboratory techniques, surgical skills and

research methodology in physiological

psychology and brain behavior interactions.

Laboratory procedures, research

methodology, data analysis and professional

writing are stressed. Concurrent enrollment in

PSY 3720 is required.

PSY 3870 Practicum in Behavior Analysis

in Education

3 hrs.

Supervised experience in the application of

the principles of behavior analysis to remedial

education. Project HELP, which is the site of

this practicum, is designed to provide

remedial education to school-age children in

math and reading using the techniques of

direct instruction. This course teaches the

techniques of direct instruction and provides

tutorial experience. Prerequisites: PSY 1000,

PSY 1600, PSY 2500.

PSY 3960 Topical Studies in Psychology

1–3 hrs.

A course on selected topics in psychology.

Topics may include basic science and applied

aspects of the discipline. Course may be

repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Permission of

the instructor.

PSY 3970 Practicum in Psychology

3 hrs.

Supervised experience at a community based

mental health site as announced in the

schedule of classes or as approved by the

undergraduate advisor. Corresponding

seminar sessions provide structure and

integration of the experience with other

practicum experience. This course may be

repeated for credit with different experiences.

Prerequisites: PSY 1000, PSY 1600, PSY 2500.

PSY 3980 Independent Study

1–5 hrs.

This course provides the undergraduate

student with the opportunity for independent

reading and/or research under the direction of

a Department staff member. Written

permission must be obtained on forms

available in the department office. May be

repeated for credit up to 12 hours.

PSY 4240 The Psychology of Human Sexuality

3 hrs.

This is a course for non-majors and for minors

in Psychology only. It cannot be applied

towards the requirements for the Psychology

major. The course provides a topical survey of

the area of human sexual functioning. Lectures

are supplemented by directed discussions,

invited guest presenters, and exercises

designed to prompt students to explore their

own assumptions and experiences with this

aspect of human behavior. Topics include sex,

sexuality, and reproduction. Prerequisite:

PSY 1000.

PSY 4260 Introduction to Human Drug Use

and Abuse

3 hrs.

This is a course for non-majors and for minors

in Psychology only. It cannot be applied

towards the requirements for the Psychology

major. This course introduces the student to

the action of several classes of recreational

and medical drugs and provides an overview

of the factors that influence drug use. Human

drug use and abuse will be the primary focus,

although non-human research findings will be

discussed as well. Prerequisite: PSY 1000.

PSY 4280 Psychology of Aging

3 hrs.

This is a course for psychology majors and

minors. The course provides a topical survey

of the area of human aging. Lectures are

supplemented by course projects, invited

speakers, and homework exercises that are

designed to increase student familiarity with

social, physical, and psychological issues

associated with human aging. Topics include

physical health, mental health, and dementia.

Prerequisites: PSY 1000, 1600, 2500, and

declared major or minor.

PSY 4440 Industrial/Organizational

Behavior Analysis

3 hrs.

This course focuses on conducting effective

performance improvement projects in

organizations. Topics include identifying

performance targets worthy of change,

developing measurement systems and

tracking performance, behavior and

performance analyses, behavior change

strategies, and evaluation of organizational

impact. Prerequisites: Psychology major; PSY 3600.

PSY 4600 Survey of Behavior Analysis

Research

3 hrs.

An overview of diverse topics of behavior

analysis research and applications. Topics

include; clinical psychology, child psychology,

behavioral medicine, environmental quality,

developmental disability, education and

geriatrics. Prerequisite: PSY 3300 and 3600

PSY 4620 Individual, Group, and

Family Treatment

3 hrs.

This course provides an overview of individual,

group and family treatment modalities.

Concepts, intervention strategies, and specific

methods of current treatment models are

presented through lecture, assigned reading,

hand-outs, and film. Included also are three

sessions on demonstration and practice of

micro-counseling skills. Treatment focus is the

employed adult whose job performance is

adversely affected by mental health and/or

substance abuse problems. Open only to

Employee Assistance Academic Program

majors. Prerequisite: PSY 2500.

PSY 4630 Health Psychology

3 hrs.

A behavior analysis approach to the

management of behaviors directly and

indirectly affecting health. Emphasis will be

placed on out-patient, public health

applications and preventive approaches in

health maintenance. Prerequisites: PSY 1000.

PSY 4990 Honors Projects in Psychology

1–5 hrs.

Independent study and research projects

completed under the supervision of a faculty

member and coordinated with the Department

Honors Program. Prerequisite: Permission of

instructor.

All 500 level courses in the Department of

Psychology have a prerequisite of junior level

status and of PSY 360 (Concepts of Principles

of Behavior Analysis) and PSY 330

(Methodology of Behavior Analysis).

Exceptions to this requirement must be

approved by the course instructor on a

case-by-case basis.

PSY 5100 Advanced General Psychology

3 hrs.

Readings, lecture and discussion designed to

introduce non-majors in psychology to modern

behavior theory. Emphasis will be upon human

behavior, both normal and abnormal, with a

significant portion of the course devoted to the

higher cognitive processes. Prerequisite:

Permission of instructor.

PSY 5170 Psychology in the Schools

3 hrs. Fall, Spring

Provides an overview of psychology in the

schools, with an emphasis on interventions for

children or adolescents presenting difficulties

with learning or behavior. This course will

provide an overview of how to design,

implement, and evaluate interventions in

schools for individual and groups of children.

An overview of the role of the school

psychologist will be provided. Prerequisite:

PSY 3300 or permission of instructor.

PSY 5240 Human Sexuality

3 hrs. Fall

In this course students will learn about the

range of human sexual behaviors. Topics

covered will include anatomical and

physiological functioning as well as

psychological aspects of sexual behavior.

Class time will involve lectures, discussions,

in-class activities, videos, and guest speakers.

The course is not intended to provide therapy

training. Prerequisite: Psychology majors only.

PSY 5260 Human Drug Use and Abuse

3 hrs.

This course provides a general overview of

basic pharmacological principles, discusses

the behavioral and physiological mechanisms

of action of several classes of medicinal and

recreational drugs, and surveys the factors

thought to contribute to responsible and

irresponsible drug intake. Although human

drug use and abuse will be the primary focus

of the course, non-human research findings

will be emphasized where appropriate.

PSY 5400 Psychology of Safety

3 hrs.

The purpose of this course is to teach students

about current research and trends in the

psychology of safety. Students review,

critically analyze and discuss current trends in

safety research, including behavior-based

safety, injury/illness prevention and other

relevant topics. Students receive training in the

application of behavioural principles to solve

specific safety problems in organizations

through changing behavior and improving

performance. Students gain valuable, practical

experience by completing behavior-based

safety assessments in business settings under

the supervision of the course instructor. The

assessment site is obtained by the student,

with the assistance of the instructor.

Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.

PSY 5470 Practicum: Organizational

Performance Improvement

3 hrs.

Training in the application of principles of

behavior to solve specific organizational

problems through changing behavior and

improving performance. Students conduct a

performance improvement project in a local

organization and empirically evaluate the

results. The practicum site is obtained by the

student, and with the assistance of the

instructor. Practicum students meet as a group

frequently with the instructor to discuss and

troubleshoot the projects. Prerequisite:

Permission of the instructor.

PSY 5600 Behavioral Medicine

3 hrs.

Application of behavioral technology to

medical patients with emphasis on in-patient

treatment. Sample topics include

bio-feedback, pain control, compliance with

medical regimen and issues of work in a

medical setting.

PSY 5610 Introduction to Clinical Psychology

3 hrs.

This course addresses the subdiscipline of

clinical psychology in a manner that provides

the psychology major with useful information

regarding it as a potential specialty. In addition

to coverage of contemporary professional

activity engaged in by specialists in this field,

like practice and research, it addresses career

development issues such as selecting

graduate schools, training models used by

universities and private schools, internship

training, licensure and the types of degrees

granted. It is a course appropriate for mid to

upper level undergraduates and graduate

students who are returning to study after

having been away from the field for some time.

Prerequisites: Psychology major for

undergraduates; instructor’s permission for

graduate students.

PSY 5700 A Behavior Analysis Approach

to the Area of Developmental Disability

3 hrs.

Topics will include: Historical background,

assessment, training and legal implications of

treatment.

PSY 5740 Cross Cultural Psychology

3 hrs.

This course is designed to introduce the

psychology major to the general area and

basic concepts of Cross Cultural Psychology.

Through readings and lectures, the students

will become familiar with the role culture plays

in various indigenous psychologies including

those commonly found in Western, Japanese,

Chinese, Arabic, and African cultures. This

course is specifically not a course in American

ethnicity. It will instead explore a variety of

world cultures in search of an understanding

of how human behavior is interpreted

according to cultural tenets that are unique to

a region’s history and evolution. The course

will also examine the importance, especially in

contemporary Western society, of professional

psychologists developing more than casual

familiarity with predominant indigenous

psychologies. The plight of persons

undergoing increasingly forced and voluntary

migration in today’s world provides one

foundation for exploring the need for such

understanding. The course will prepare the

student to read and interpret the psychological

literature from several cultures, to conduct

library research addressing the influence of

culture on the interpretation of human

behavior, and to appreciate the importance of

cultural considerations in the wide variety of

psychological specialties. Prerequisites: For

undergraduates—having declared a

psychology major; for graduate

students—permission of instructor.

PSY 5950 History of Psychology

3 hrs.

The historical and philosophical foundations of

contemporary American psychology.

PSY 5970 Topical Studies in Psychology

2–4 hrs.

A survey and discussion of selected research

topics of current interest. Topics may include

both basic science and applied aspects of the

discipline. Course may be repeated for credit

although the total number of credits may be

limited by the degree program. Students

should consult the program advisor.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

PSY 5980 Special Projects in Psychology

1–5 hrs.

This course provides the graduate student

with the opportunity for independent reading

and/or research under the direction of a faculty

member. Graduate standing and permission of

instructor. May be repeated for credit,

although the total number of hours in a degree

program may not exceed 5 hours.

PSY 5990 Practicum in Psychology

2–4 hrs.

In-depth training in the application of the

principles of behavior to a specific and

restricted problem area in the discipline. The

practicum application is often identified by the

location of the research site or professional

service agency published in the Schedule of

Classes. Each hour of credit requires 100

clock hours. May be repeated for credit

although number of credits may be limited by

program requirements. Written permission

must be obtained from the department.

Last Updated on March 2, 2005

Taken from 2004-2006 Graduate Catalog